Three militants, including a notorious target killer, were killed during a joint Counter-Terrorism Department (CTD) and Lakki Marwat police operation in the Darra Pegho Khel area, officials said on Sunday. The intelligence-based raid was launched after authorities received credible information about the presence of militants involved in attacks on security forces, police, and civilians.
One of the slain militants was identified as Muhammad Nazir, also known as Mujahid, a target killer linked to the murders of traffic police constables and a CTD official. The other two were named Fawadullah alias Muaz and Afnan Khan alias Afnani, both wanted in several cases involving targeted killings of security personnel. Weapons recovered at the scene included a Kalashnikov rifle, two 9mm pistols, and mobile phones, along with three cards connected to a banned organisation.
Inspector General of Police Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Zulfiqar Hameed, and Additional IGP CTD praised the CTD and police teams for their successful operation, emphasizing that Khyber Pakhtunkhwa had become increasingly difficult terrain for terrorists. The IGP reiterated that operations would continue until the last militant was eliminated.
Terrorist attacks have risen sharply in Pakistan, particularly in KP and Balochistan, following the Afghan Taliban’s return to power in 2021.
Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) Director General Lt Gen Ahmed Sharif Chaudhry noted that 67,023 intelligence-based operations (IBOs) were conducted across Pakistan in 2025, mostly in KP and Balochistan. These operations resulted in the deaths of 1,873 terrorists, including 136 Afghan nationals.
The Pakistani government has repeatedly urged the Afghan Taliban regime in Kabul to prevent its territory from being used by militants to launch attacks against Pakistan. Recent cross-border incidents have heightened tensions, prompting retaliatory action by Pakistani forces to secure the border and protect civilians and security personnel.
The successful Lakki Marwat operation underscores the continued vigilance and coordination between intelligence and police forces, reflecting Pakistan’s ongoing commitment to counterterrorism in the region.
